Destination Guides

Northern Florida/Orlando

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by Michael C. Lowe |
August 01, 2014

Why here?

Golden sunshine, world-class beaches and resorts like the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa (above) make Northern Florida an attractive destination year-round. And in Orlando, the country's most popular city (59 million visitors in 2013 alone), nearly 3,000 new hotels rooms are in the pipeline.

SPOTLIGHT: JACKSONVILLE
Last December, the Four Points by Sheraton Jacksonville opened with 72 oceanfront suites, complimentary Wi-Fi, a fitness center and 1,800 square feet of meeting space.

Posh Portal
The 404-room Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort has completed an $85 million renovation that added a new grand entrance with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking an infinity-edge pool.

What's Cooking?
The Walt Disney Swan and Dolphin hotel recently treated media guests to a reception showcasing its creative F&B offerings to groups. See a slide show featuring highlights at mcmag.com/slideshows.

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NORTHWEST FLORIDA

Local Update

• The 602-room Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa completed a four-month, $12.5 million renovation in March. The project included upgrades to the hotel's lobby, public space, Spa Tower guest rooms, spa and more. Features at the resort include six dining venues and more than 32,000 square feet of meeting space.

• In June, the Emerald Coast Convention Center unveiled a new 30,000-square-foot outdoor event space called Bayview Plaza, which can be tented in case of rain.

Meeting Hotels: For a full list of Northern Florida properties, and to find and compare hotels and send RFPs, visit mcvenues.com.

Group Venue:Henderson State Park offers a 6,000-foot-long stretch of white sand beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. Four beachside pavilions are available for rental and can accommodate up to 150 guests each. (850) 269-1062